Tag Archives: East Vancouver

First Pick Handmade Returns To The Heritage Hall September 15 & 16, 2018

4 Sep

First Pick Fall Postcard Cover 2018First Pick Handmade returns to the Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, September 15 & 16, 2018. This is a curated event showcasing 30 Canadian men’s and women’s fashion accessory designers.  First Pick Handmade will transform Heritage Hall into a 3,300-square foot pop up boutique department store. The event will feature long standing Canadian designers as well as some new additions including Anian Manufacturing with eco flannels hats and sweaters and Dogwood Denim Apparel with custom jeans for men and women.  Some designers on hand include Bianca Barr Designs, Daub and Design/Daub Active, Billy Would, LanaBetty, Quw’utsun’ Made, Frances Felt, Roberto Fioravanti and Toodlebunny. To see the full line up of participating designers, visit First Pick Handmade.

First Pick Handmade was created and curated by Janna Hurtzig  who is the founder/designer behind Winterluxe Recycled Cashmere. Hurtzig has been part of Vancouver’s handmade scene since 1988 in a variety of roles including co-organizer of Shiny, Muddy Fuzzy.  First Pick Handmade happens September 15th & 16th from11:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm each day. Admission is $3.00 at the door. Whether it’s to browse or buy, stop by and support our Canadian designers. 

“Now more than ever, consumers can make a difference by
supporting Canadian designers and the environment with
shopping locally and sustainably,”

 Janna Hurtzig, First Pick Handmade Founder, and Curator. 

 

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11th Annual Accordion Noir Festival At The Wise hall September 14 – 16, 2018

29 Aug

AccordionNoir2018The 11th Annual Noir Festival returns to East Vancouver September 14 – 16, 2018 at the Wise Hall.  They have a full slate of talent lined up including singer and author Geoff Berner who is also billed as the patron Saint of the Accordion Noir movement. Geoff has participated in many of the festivals and is determined to show an entire generation of accordion punks that another, less bubbly, world is possible. Also taking part in the festival is legendary busker-king Jason Webley  returning to the festival after a long absence who will be spinning yarns like a Russian sailor we hear. Also performing is Emchy who is inspired by 1920s cabaret music, murder ballads and Leonard Cohen. Saturday’s festivities include a Polka Party, so come on down and kick up your heels and dance.  The festival kicks off Friday evening at 8:00 pm. Admission is $20.  Advance tickets for Saturday’s dance party available through Brown Paper Tickets. 

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Jewellery Making Workshop At The Italian Cultural Centre Starting September 19th

28 Aug

RobertoJewelleryIf you are interested in jewellery making with silver, Roberto Fioravanti will be hosting a workshop divided up over 3 evenings starting September 19th. The Italian Cultural Centre plays host to these workshops in which Roberto will help you create your own ring which you will take home with you after your last class.  Sessions happen September 19th, September 26th and October 3rd from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. Cost is $275.00. To register, visit the Italian Cultural Centre.

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Story Story Lie Goes Back To School September 5th At The Rio Theatre

27 Aug

storyStoryLieInLightsIt’s time to go back to school with Story Story Lie on September 5th. You are invited to the Rio Theatre to see if you can spot the liar.  If you are not familiar with the premise of this show, it is an interactive show where some of Vancouver’s best entertainers share intimate, funny and often embarrassing stories about themselves. One of them is lying and telling you a tall tale. But which one?   The audience gets to take part in the interrogation to reveal who the liar is. And the first audience member to guess the liar, wins the grand prize as well as bragging rights. The contestants for the Back To School Story Story Lie are Jon Bennett (The Moth), Conni Smudge (Drag Queen),  John Cullen (Just For Laughs),  Andrea Jin (Comedian), Gustavo Ferman (Dancer & Entertainer), Marty Lawton (Irish Actress) and host Jo Dworschak.   The Westender calls this show “One of the most inventive events on the Vancouver arts calendar” Tickets are available in advance online at Rio Theatre for $10 online or $12 at the door. Fun gets under way at 7:00 pm and runs till 8:30 pm.

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What’s On East Van: August 24th Edition

24 Aug

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Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out some cool events for the upcoming week.  Beyond the week, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.

Serate in Piazza – Italian Cultural Centre – August 24th

You are invited to come listen to live music and dance at the outdoor piazza at the Italian Cultural Centre this Friday night.  There will also be food and refreshments available for purchase, should you wish, but the music is free. Fun kicks off at 7:00 pm.

Family Night – Grandview Park – August 24th

The Commercial Drive BIA and the Vancouver Park Board Rangers are hosting a Family Night in Grandview Park this Friday from 5:00 – 9:30 pm.  This event features a film, a Kids Zone with balloon twisting, face painter and caricature artist.  It’s a free event. Everyone is welcome to stop by.

RnB Icons Motown Dance Party – Federico’s Supper Club – August 24th

Looking for a fun night out of dinner and dancing?  Federico’s Supper Club is the place to be Friday night with their Motown Dance Party. Dinner reservations start from 5:30 pm. Music kicks off a little later. To reserve your spot, visit Federicos’s Supper Club.

Tremors 2018 – Italian Cultural Centre – August 24th & 25th

This is your last weekend to catch 3 contemporary Canadian plays by emerging artists.  The productions take place at the Italian Cultural Centre. They include Selfie by Christine Quintana, Tiny Replicas by Dave Deveau, and Theory by Norman Yeung. The performances are Pay What You Decide. For more information on times and tickets, visit Tremors 2018.

Won’t You Be My Neighbour – Rio Theatre – August 24th & 25th

The documentary ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbour’  takes an intimate look at America’s favorite neighbor: Mister Fred Rogers. A portrait of a man whom we all think we know, this emotional and moving film takes us beyond the zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe, and into the heart of a creative genius who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination.  One of his aims was to bring up a generation of good neighbours.  Did he succeed? This is one film that’s on our list and will be showing at the Rio Theatre Friday at 3:15 pm and Saturday at 1:00 pm.

Tiny House Design Weekend  – Britannia Community Centre – August 25 & 26

If you are interested in tiny homes, designing and or building them, then you may wish to check out The Tiny House Design Weekend happening at the Britannia Community Centre.  The cost is $349 for the 2 days and coverages a wide range of topics and is geared to all skill levels from those just researching the idea to custom builders. To register, visit Eventbrite.

Summer Savour Festival – River District – August 25th

River District is hosting it’s 3rd in a series of 4 summer fun events, Summer Savour Festival. This Saturday from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, there will be live music by the Myles Bigalow Trio, Dr. Strangelove to name two. Romer’s Burger Bar will be on hand with free slider samples as well as beer samples. There will be a small marketplace and some food trucks on hand.

Saturday Morning Brunch With Cartoons – Storm Crow Tavern – August 25th

Really how often can you have brunch and watch Saturday morning cartoons while out at a restaurant? Stop by Storm Crow Tavern from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm to have brunch and watch Adventure Time.

Artful Sunday – Napier Greenway – August 26th

Artful Sundays happens again this Sunday in the Napier Greenway by the Britannia Community Centre. This outdoor visual art market features local artists, workshops, artist demonstrations, live music and more. Stop by between Noon – 5:00 pm.

Live Music, Comedy & Entertainment

The Rickshaw Theatre is hosting a BC Wildfire Benefit Concert to help those affected by wildfires this Friday, August 24th. Tickets are $12. Looking to take in some comedy, East Van Improv League is at Havana Theatre Sunday night at 7:30 pm and Graham Clark’s Laugh Gallery is Monday night at Havana Theatre 9 pm. If you are looking to keep the kids entertained, big or small, Playland is now open daily from 10 am – 7 pm. Three Farmer Markets happening this weekend – Saturday it’s Riley Park (10 am – 2 pm) and Trout Lake (9 am – 2 pm) and Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market in Dude Chilling Park from 10 am – 2 pm.  Note, for the tomato lovers, there’s a Tomato Festival at Trout Lake this Saturday where there will be 100+ varieties. To see more of what’s on in East Vancouver, check our Event Listing.

Image Credit: June Hunter

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Beginner Swing Dance August 25 & 26, 2018 At The Russian Hall

22 Aug

SwingDanceByChrisLohHave you ever watched swing dance? The participants always looks like are having a great time. Swing dance is interactive, social and happening this weekend for 2 days at the Russian Hall. Rhythm City Productions is hosting a condensed intensive workshop August 25th and 26th. They will start things off slow and easy, get you practicing and before long, you will be swing dancing around the room.  Cost is $90.  The lessons happen between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm both days. To reserve your spot, visit Rhythm City Productions.

Photo Credit: Chris Loh

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Nicole Alivojvodic Reviews The Coast Is Queer On Now For Vancouver Queer Film Festival

21 Aug

VQFF-Vert-Colour-300px-e1523331631308The Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF), the largest queer arts event in Western Canada, is back on and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! More than just film, the festival hosts performances, workshops, panel discussions, parties and more, facilitating a unique community space for 11 days each August. This past Friday night the York theatre was packed with people eagerly anticipating the festival favourite The Coast is Queer.

This made-in-Vancouver short film program has been showcasing alluring animation, provoking dramas, wonderfully peculiar experimental films, and uplifting documentaries since 2000. This year, 11 diverse films ranging between 1 and 14 minutes long were shown to a captivated audience. As a first time VQFF goer I wasn’t sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by how different each film was from the next. There were serious, dramatic, satirical, sweet and downright hilarious films, which shown back to back gives you a bit of emotional whiplash, but the overall effect left the audience giddy as we funneled out of the theatre to vote for our favourites. To top it off the directors of each film were in the audience as well which gave the local program a personal touch!

The VQFF is on until August 25th. For more information or to get festival tickets, visit Vancouver Queer Film Festival.

By Contributing Writer: Nicole Alivojvodic

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Mike Jackson East Van Business Owner Celebrates 30 Years In Business

20 Aug

IMG_2728 (2)Have you made your way to Les Faux Bourgeois, Heartbreaker Salon or Savio Volpe at the corner of Kingsway & Fraser?   If you have, did you catch Mike Jackson’s shop tucked next to Savio Volpe?

It’s a small shop with a retail component in the front and more space at the back for the custom work he does. Thus, the name Studiotique, studio in the back – boutique in the front. We recently started working with Mike and in doing so learned that this is one cool guy who has weathered many incarnations to stay in small business for 30 years. This is quite an accomplishment.

It all began in 1988. Mike was attending the University of Western Ontario, and launched Grubwear Clothing Co. He hit the streets to create and sell streetwear and action sports clothing from the back of his Honda Civic. Soon after, he drove West with his dog Memphis and a U-Haul to open Thriller, his first retail venture. Mike wanted to create bold graphic t-shirts and has a passion for sports, beach lifestyle, surf, skateboard and snowboarding.  He was driven to bring these passions together with a cutting-edge design and unique merchandise.  Grubwear with his now infamous TRI-G logo was born and has led him around the world with one of his passions, snowboarding. This in turn led him to launch Jackson Snowboards in 1991.  The business grew and evolved, Mike had distributors in 11 countries from Germany to Japan.  In 1996, he opened Thriller Shop in Kitsilano which became the head office for all his brands, Grubwear, Boris Brothers and Jackson Snowboards.   After 3 stores, 15 employees, Mike has scaled things back at his store at Kingsway & Fraser and focuses on his brands that he sells from his storefront as well as his online shop and doing custom work.

Now in 2018, things have come full circle for Mike.  To celebrate his 30 years in business, on August 1, 2018 Mike launched a KickStarter Campaign to create 30 special edition Jackson snowboards. He is working with Rob Dow, the creator of WIRED Snowboards in Vancouver who has 25 years of experience in design and production. Mike launched his Kickstarter campaign with the aim of raising $5,000. He reached that mark within 24 hour. If you wish to check out the Kickstarter Campaign to see what reward packages are still available, visit Mike’s Kickstarter.

 

 

It takes a lot to stay in business for 30 years.  Hats off to Mike who has reinvented himself many times over. Madonna comes to mind when we think of all his incarnations over the years. He may not like that we said that, but that’s how we see it. If you wish to check some of his cool designs, stop by his shop located at 617 Kingsway or check out his online store at Grubwear. You will see East Van merchandise figures prominently. If you are looking to have some custom t-shirts, jerseys, bags what have you for your sports team or for your business, Mike’s your man.

We raise a beer to Mike for 30 years in business! Cheers.

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Craftworks Society Hosting Sale Thursday, August 16th

13 Aug

CraftWorksWelcomeToWe recently stumbled across a non-profit doing great work in your community. The organization is Craftworks which is based in East Vancouver. Craftworks provides industrial sewing and hand-made craft training and income generating opportunities for people with mental illness, addictions, physical disabilities and other barriers to employment. They make a number of items including reusable bags which are made from repurposed street banners which have been donated to them by various municipalities, Business Improvement Associations and other organizations. Their work diverts hundreds of kilos of synthetic, non-biodegradable fabric from the landfill every year.

Craftworks also makes Christmas ornaments which are sold at the annual Circle Craft Fair in downtown Vancouver as well as on their website.  This Thursday, August 16th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm they will be hosting a sale at their space located at 1275 Venables Street, Suite #340 (Clark and Venables).  They will have a supply of bags available. The shopping totes are $20. There will also be a smaller book and/or lunch bag on hand for $18 as well as some backpacks for $26.  Not only do these bags keep fabric out of the landfill, they also help keep single use plastics out of the landfill.  With the work the organization does, we think it’s all around Win Win. We invite you to stop by and check out some of the great things Craftworks is making.

Photo Credit: Craftworks

 

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Vancouver Queer Film Festival August 9 – 19, 2018

7 Aug

VQFF-Vert-Colour-300px-e1523331631308The Vancouver Queer Film Festival marks its 30th anniversary this year. The event opens at the Vancouver Playhouse Thursday, August 9th with the Canadian premiere of Yen Tan’s 1985. The film is shot in black and white and set in Texas in the first wave of the AIDS crisis. Indie Wire calls it “a fine piece of cinematic craftsmanship … It is a haunting elegy for a generation of gay men.” Not heading downtown, no problem. There are a number of films showing at The York Theatre including Festival favourite The Coast Is Queer on August 17th at 9:00 pm. We’ve set out a few other films that will be screening at the York Theatre.    For tickets and/or more information, we invite you to check out Queer Film Festival:

We Are the Vancouver Men’s Chorus – Friday, August 17th at 7:00 pm

“In 1981, the Vancouver Men’s Chorus and broke ground and became Canada’s first gay chorus. Over the next thirty-eight years, they’ve grown into a nationally acclaimed and internationally recognized chorus.”  Director Mark Halliday has created a documentary that takes you behind scenes of this celebrated group of men.

Indigiqueer Shorts from Turtle Island & Aotearoa – Saturday, August 18th at 7:00 pm

“Coined in 2004 by Thirza Cuthand, the term Indigiqueer is a way for queer Indigenous folks to identify themselves and their queerness. This cinematic collection showcases how versatile two-spirit/Indigiqueer life is.”

Deep Inside Clint Star – Saturday, August 18th at 9:30 pm

You are invited to a FREE screening of Deep Inside Clint Star which documents the travels of filmmaker Clint Alberta across Canada. This film features candid conversations with Indigenous youth and those often marginalized. It is powerful production that gives voice to people that often aren’t heard.

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